Post-Halloween Candy Exchange, The End of Soccer, and Election Day - by McP

THE POST-HALLOWEEN CANDY EXCHANGE OPENS -
After the big night, the kids each made a pile of their candy and the trading began! Cal held his own, and even though at first he was a bit naive he drove his own hard bargains. Mac seems to favor Snickers. Alina likes just about everything. Cal is all about the suckers.
ALINA'S LAST SOCCER GAME -
Alina celebrated with her team, the Lightning Bolts, their last game. Afterward, Alina, Mac and Cal rode with me over to Pigeon Creek in Fannin County to their Aunt Katie's cabin for supper. Alina and Cal nodded off on the way for a good nap. Mac kept his attentions focused with his DS game system.
ELECTION DAY AND ELECTION NIGHT, NOVEMBER 4, 2008 -
Over the past few weeks, particularly after meeting President Clinton, Alina and Mac have been extremely interested in the election. Even Cal has joined in from time to time.
On the morning of November 4th, 2008, everyone was quite giddy, especially Alina.

The early votes having been locked in, and the final votes were cast in Catoosa County at 7:00 p.m. The tradition of Catoosa County's election night tote board was brought back with a modern, electronic board. The night was twenty years to the week when I celebrated my first election to the state legislature on the same grounds, back then watching the votes being tallied on an old chalkboard in front of the courthouse. The kids had great fun, just has I have had over the past forty-plus years, watching the votes being tallied in downtown Ringgold. Another generation enjoys a great American and Ringgold tradition! - McP